Dec 23, 2014 / Blogging U.

A Year of Blogging U.

A look back at the year-that-was in Blogging U. — and the incredible impact it (and you!) had.

Looking for registration info for the next round of Blogging 101? Just scroll down!

Blogging U. is about to celebrate its first birthday! We introduced our very first course, Blogging 101: Zero to Hero, in January of 2014.

And what a year! Over 20,000 of you registered for our blogging, writing, and photography courses. We’re still crunching all the numbers, but in just looking at the first few blogging and writing courses, we’re bowled over — you accomplished some seriously amazing things.

This is a site I’d pretty much abandoned, and I was getting tired of hearing the crickets. So glad I signed up to Blogging U. All along there was a community of bloggers out there like me, and I hadn’t met them.

When the statistic elves finish compiling the combined data for all of 2014, will let you know!

In just the first few courses, you published 34,700 posts, left 121,100 comments on one another’s blogs, and liked your co-bloggers’ posts 189,600 times. You generated over 3,000,000 page views for one another. And this doesn’t count your participation on the Commons sites, where you published thousands more posts and comments supporting each other.

I didn’t expect to find a social function here. I thought it was more of a platform to present ideas and not such a rich community of exchange. I’m impressed with the savvy community I have wandered into.

The communities you created were so strong that lots of you created your own sites to keep collaborating. You spawned Facebook groups and Twitter accounts, four private mini–Commons, several group blogs, dozens of community events, and a lot of guest posts — along with thousands of ongoing friendships.

You’re also making the fabric of the blogging community stronger across the board; you’re 10 times as socially engaged as the average blogger. What does that mean? That you’re responsible for 10 times the likes, comments, and follows, which means you’re giving thousands of other bloggers the feedback and motivation they need to keep going.

I’d become stale and hadn’t taken the time to fine tune things that needed tuning. These exercises have changed my style, making it more open and interesting. From a blog that was languishing, I have the joy, inspiration, and playfulness back.

We’ve got big ideas for Blogging U. going forward — more courses more often, and better structures for helping you stay connected with your classmates. We couldn’t do it without you, though. Give yourselves a collective pat on the back!

I’ve started getting up at 5 AM every day to free write for 20 minutes before diving into the assignments. It’s gotten to the point where I wake up multiple times each night to check the time and see if it’s time to get up and write because I’m so excited. I’ve never felt this way before!

And now… the return of Blogging 101!

If you’re new to WordPress.com, a new session of our introductory blogging course starts on Monday, January 5.

My site is looking more and more how I want it to look and I am gaining confidence and followers (up to 423!) by the day. (Sue of Happiness, Health, and Hypnosis)

Blogging 101 is four weeks of daily bite-size blogging assignments that take you from “Blog?” to “Blog!” At the end of the course, you’ll have a blog you’re proud and excited to publish — and that others are excited to read. Here’s how it works:

  • Assignments fall into three broad categories — publishing posts, customizing your blog, and engaging with the community — and are designed to build on one another.
  • We’ll post a new assignment here on The Daily Post each weekday at 12AM GMT. Each assignment will contain all the inspiration and instructions you need to complete it. Weekends are free time (but we’ll suggest some ways you might want to spend it).
  • Participants will have a private community site, the Commons, for chatting, connecting, and seeking feedback and support. Daily Post staff and Happiness Engineers will be on hand to answer your questions and offer guidance and resources.

On Day 30, you’ll have six (or more!) published posts and a handful of drafts, a customized theme that reflects your personality, a small but growing audience, a good grasp of blogging etiquette — and a bunch of new online friends.

Ready to kick start your new blog! Sign up by filling out this simple form:

Note: you won’t receive an automated confirmation email immediately, but you will get a welcome email with complete instructions prior to the start of the course.

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  1. I have a question about the upcoming Blogging 101 course. I know it starts January 5th, and I really want to partake. However, I will be away from wifi at the time this starts until January 11th or so. Will I still be able to participate?

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  2. I have had a blog before and it really didn’t work out, so I gave up. Hopefully this course will help out a lot this time around. I’m just making a blog about my life, my thoughts and my writing. Is that a good worthwhile blog or would people not want to read something like that? I’m so excited!

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  3. Good morning Daily Post

    Recently, I resigned up for a course through your company. My concern is it may not be the appropriate course for me and for my level of blogging skill. Could you please briefly review my records and suggest what I may do regarding this course, I don’t want to retake the one I have already completed.

    Thank you,Angela L.

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      1. Hi Michelle

        Thanks, I would actually like to drop out then. If you could dis enroll me I would appreciate it. Please send confirmation of my dis enrollment to my email:
        If it is necessary for me to be the one to dis enroll myself, please send me instructions on how.
        Thank you.

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    1. It’s the “s” in the “https” triggering a warning in your browser — you can either just delete the “s” (it’s totally safe, I promise), or fill out the form right in this post instead (eg, by visiting the post on The Daily Post rather than using the link in the email).

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  6. Plz forgive me, I am really new to this, where do I find the form to sign up? I want to start off on the right foot. I am looking forward to meeting new people and learning. I love to learn!!! :)))))

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